Multipocket brief-case and portfolio



Aug. 20, 1935. L. STEIN 2,011,879

MULTIPOCKET BRIEF CASE AND PORTFOLIO Filed June 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet1 fwezzfii Zea 53am Vi ym M W 'JM gay L, STEIN MULTIPOGKET BRIEF CASEAND PORTFOLIO 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1934 [RI/922W Zea 5Zez72/MXZ @355 Patented Aug. 20, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPOCKETBRIEF-CASE AND PORTFOLIO My invention relates to luggage or bags, andmore particularly it relates to an improved receptacle adapted either asa portfolio or a briefcase for use by professional people and others incarrying documents and for use by salesmen,

teachers, students and the like in carrying pamphlets, catalogues,samples, etc. of substantial bulk and weight.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved combinationportfolio and brief-case comprising an outer casing providing a mountingfor a plurality of pockets adapted as receptacles for documents,catalogues, samples and the like, the pockets being so arranged thatwhen is the case is opened the contents of each pocket are exposed toview at the top.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedcombination portfolio and brief-case adapted to be opened out fia't inbookfashion so that the contents may be easily accessible for removal ordisplay.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedcarrying device adapted for use either as a portfolio or as a brief-caseand which always maintains a neat, compact appearance whether filled tocapacity or otherwise.

A brief-case, when filled to capacity, is most conveniently carried bymeans of handles, but if used as a portfolio for carrying ordinarydocuments of lighter weight and" lesser bulk, it is most convenientlycarried under the arm, in which case the handles are both superfluousand inappropriate. The invention has as another of its objects theprovision of an improved combination brief-case and portfolio havingconcealed handles adapted to be extended for use when needed and tuckedout of the way or retracted to a position where they are invisible whennot in use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved handlesand mounting means therefor adapting the handles to be substantiallyconcealed within the mounting means when retracted and tobe easilyextended for use 'as acarrymg means.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthe kind described having improved details of arrangement. andconstruction of certain members fastened to the 'cas-' ing incooperative relation whereby the casing is reinforced and its distortionis minimized when Many other objects and advantages of the constructionherein .shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the artfrom the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel 5 construction,arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, andmore particularly pointed out in the claims. I

'In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts: 10

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device in partially open position;

Fig. 2 is an interior view of one side of the device;

Fig. 3 is a view along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1; 15 Fig. 4 is a viewalong the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a view along the line 55 of Fig. 2. Referring now moreparticularly to the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in a 20combination portfolio and brief-case comprising a casing 10, preferablymade of a piece of leather or similar flexible material, foldabletransversely along its median line to provide the side walls of thecase. Each side wall is lined by a relative- 25 ly rigid member I!providing reinforcement and adding rigidity to the casing.

A pair of flexible bellows members I2 extend from the bottom of thecasing around the ends and top of each side wall. The edge of the casingl 0 is 0.

folded over the members I l and |2 at the top and ends, and the membersH), II and I2 are fastened together by lines of stitches l3.

A pair of flexible material strips I4 are fastened 'one on the free edgeofeach bellows member I2. 5

the ends and lower edges of the partitions l6, l1,

l8 and 19, thereby forming expansible pockets 45 adapted to receivepamphlets, documents and the like.

A plurality of partitions respectively designated by the numerals 2|,22, 23, 2'4 and 25 are similarly arranged in substantially parallelrela- 50 tion to .each other and to the other side wall of the case withbellows members 26 fastening their endsand lower edges together andsecuring the partitions to the adjacent side wall to form expansiblepockets. The bottoms of the I partitions are in substantial alignmentand their height increases outwardly in such a manner that the topportions of the contents of each pocket may be visible when the case isopened.

The lower edges of the lining members II are connected by a flexiblereinforcing strip 21, preferably of the same material as the casing IIIor lining H. The strip 21 is fastened to the lining l i and to thebottom of the case by suitable-adhesive material, or by stitching. Thedouble thickness of material provided along the bottom strengthens thecase where it is subjected to wear by reason of its bending upon openingand i closing the case.

A pair of handle members are mounted one on each end of the casing I soas to be in juxtaposition when the case is closed. Each handle membercomprises a frame 28 constructed of metal or similar'material ofsufiicient strength and rigidity to carry the case when filled tocapacity. The frame 28 is preferably U-shaped and has its stemsextending through and closely fitting apertures 29 provided for thatpurpose in the bellows member l2. The frames 28 are provided with covers32, preferably of the same material as the casing H1 or the bellowsmember-s 12. The inner ends of each frame 28 are fastened by rivets 30to plates 31 positioned between the casing I0 and the adjacent linings II. The handles and the plates 3i connected therewith are adapted to bepushed inwardly until the projecting portions of the handles lieentirely within and are substantially concealed by the folds of thebellows members Ill. The handles are movable to operative position byextending the same until the top edges of the plate 3| respectivelyengage the adjacent linings I l. The described mounting for thehandlesenables the case to be used as a portfolio and carried under the armwith the handles concealed or to be used as a brief-case with thehandles extended.

Thus, it will be seen, that I have provided an improved combinationportfolio and a brief-case comprising a plurality of novel features,including a unitary casing folded transversely to form side wallsproviding a mounting for a plurality of pockets enclosed by the casingwith the pockets of diminishing depth inwardly and so arranged that thecontents are visible. It also provides hookless fastening means adaptedto close the ends and the top of the casing when folded; and handlemembers and mountings therefor adapted to permit the handles to beextended for use and retracted to substantially concealed position whennot in use.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence I do'not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and.combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r I

1. An article of the kind described comprising a sheet of materialfolded transversely along its middle portion to provide the side wallsof a casing, a pair of members respectively forming lining members forsaid side walls terminating 1 short of the folded portion, said sidewalls having their end and top marginal edges folded over and fastenedto the corresponding edges of the lining members, a pair ofbellowsmembers each 8 having one edge fastened between said marginal edges andlining members, and means adapted to connect the free edges of saidbellows members when the casing is closed.

2. An article of the kind described comprising a sheet of materialfolded transversely along its middle portion to provide the side wallsof a casing, a pair of members respectively forming lining members forsaid side walls terminating short of the folded portion, said side wallshav- .ing their end and top marginal edges folded over and fastened tothe corresponding edges of the lining members, a pair of bellows memberseach having one edge fastened between said marginal edges and liningmembers, means adapted to connect the free edges of said bellows memberswhen the casing is closed, a plurality of material sheets extendingsubstantially parallel to said side walls with their ends terminatingadjacent said bellows members, inner bellows members fastened to theends and bottom of said material sheets to provide expansible pockets,and fastening means connecting the outer edges of each of said innerbellows members with the adjacent lining member.

3. An article of the kind described comprising a sheet of materialfolded transversely along its middle portion to provide the side wallsof a casing, a pair of members respectively forming lining members forsaid side walls terminating short of the folded portion, said side wallshaving their end and top marginal edges folded over and fastened to thecorresponding edges of the lining members, a pair of bellows memberseach having one edge fastened between said marginal edges and liningmembers, means adapted to connect the free edges of said bellows memberswhen the casing is closed, a plurality of material sheets arranged intwo groups, one' in each side of the casing and extending substantiallyparallel to said side walls with their ends terminating adjacent saidbellows members, a pair of inner bellows members respectively fastenedto the ends and bottom of said plurality of material sheets forming eachgroup to provide expansible pockets, and means fastening the outer edgeof each of said inner bellows members to the adjacent lining member,said parallel sheets having their lower edges in substantial alignmentand their upper edges successively terminating above the next adjacentinner sheet.

4. An article of the kind described comprising a sheet of materialfolded transversely along its middle portion to provide the side wallsof a casing, a pair of members respectively forming lining members forsaid side walls terminating short of the folded portion, said side wallshaving their end and top marginal edges folded over and fastened to thecorresponding edges of the lining members, a pair of bellows memberseach having one edge fastened between said marginal edges and liningmembers, means adapted to connect the free edges of said bellows memberswhen the casing is closed, a plurality of material sheets arranged intwo groups, one in each side of the casing and extending substantiallyparallel to said side walls with their ends terminating adjacent saidbellows members, a pair of inner bellows members respectively fastenedto the ends and bottom of said material sheets comprismg each group toprovide expansible pockets, and

5. Anarticle of the kind described comprising 1 am new a sheetofmaterial folded transversely along its middle portion to provide theside walls of a casing, a pair of members respectively forming liningmembers for said side walls terminating short of the folded portion,said side walls having their end and top marginal edges folded over andfastened to the corresponding edges of the lining members, a pair ofbellows members each having one edge fastened between said marginaledges and lining members, means adapted 'to connect the free edges ofsaid bellows members when the casing is closed, a plurality of'materialsheets arranged in two groups, one in each side of the casing andextending substantially parallel to said side walls with their endsterminating adjacent said bellows members, a pair of inner bellowsmembers respectively fastened to the ends and bottom of said materialsheets comprismg each group to provide expansible pockets, and stitchesforming the outer edges of said inner bellows members to the adjacentlining members, said parallel sheets having their lower edges insubstantial alignment and their upper edges successively terminatingabove the next adjacent inner sheet.

LEO STEIN.

